Frail elderly network (TVN) launches transformative health research competition

KINGSTON, ON, June 19, 2015 /CNW/ - The Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network (TVN), today announced details of a health research competition that is expected to lead to substantial improvements in the quality of care received by frail elderly Canadians.

Dr. John Muscedere, TVN scientific director, says this research call is a rare and unique opportunity to help shape the future course of care that will potentially impact millions of frail elderly Canadians over the next 25 years. 

"The bar we have set for patient-focused research proposals is necessarily high," he says, "because the number of older Canadians impacted by frailty is rising sharply."

Dr. Muscedere explains that one of the most significant emerging challenges facing Canada's health care system is the misalignment of resources, clinical practices and care options for the more than one million older Canadians today deemed to be frail – a distinct health state characterized by debility, the presence of multiple, chronic health conditions, and higher risk of poor health care outcomes including death. 

"Over the past three years, TVN has embarked on a series of research competitions as preliminary work for large-scale, multi-year applied research," he explains.

"To date, we have seen promising research is key areas that have the potential to improve health care outcomes for frail seniors; including frailty screening, nutrition, patient communication, physical mobility and community engagement."

Transformative research that is eligible for funding in this competition embraces patient-centred projects that:

• are scaling up from existing, successful demonstration projects
• apply pathways, processes, tools or technology developed from existing knowledge or evidence
• apply care pathways currently in practice in other health care systems around the world
• build on current TVN-funded research that would apply to wider health care systems, and to other regions or provinces in Canada.

Dr. Muscedere adds that TVN expects this multi-year research call will further galvanize research and Canadian expertise in unprecedented ways. 

"Building on the rapidly evolving interest in this field, where Canadian research is highly regarded internationally, we foresee exciting possibilities to generate major breakthroughs in the application of evidenced-based medical technologies, health care procedures and the adaptation of care pathways to the needs of frail elderly Canadians."

Research proponents have until October 1, 2015 to file their intention to apply for funding support, which is matched by financial and other support they receive from other sources.  Proponents have until December 1, 2015 to submit full proposals.

For further details on the TVN transformative research call, click here.

SOURCE TVN (Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network)

For further information: Contact/Interviews: Denis Abbott, TVN: tel [phone] ext. 6209; [email protected]